Later tonight at the United Center, the Chicago Blackhawks will open up their first of eight games against the Columbus Blue Jackets. After taking two-of-four points against the Nashville Predators with two extra-time losses, the Blackhawks ride a five-game point streak into tonight’s contest. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are coming off a shootout win over the Florida Panthers last night. It is the second game on back-to-back nights of action for the Blue Jackets with a day of travel in between. The Blackhawks and Blue Jackets face each other a divisional foes for the first time since the 2013 season.
Chicago holds an 8-4-2 record against Columbus since the Blue Jackets moved to the Eastern Conference.
Broadcast Info
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSCH, FS-O, NHLN, SNW, SNP, TVAS
Radio: WGN 720 AM
Expected Lineups
Blackhawks (2-3-3, 7 pts)
Janmark – Suter – Kane
Kubalík – Strome – Kurashev
Hagel – Söderberg– Shaw
Kämpf – Carpenter
Keith – Carlsson
De Haan – Mitchell
Zadorov – Murphy
Beaudin
Lankinen
Subban
Blue Jackets (3-2-3, 9 points)
Foligno – Texier – Bjorkstrand
Grigorenko – Domi – Foudy
Jenner – Roslovic – Atkinson
Robinson – Koivu – Nash
Gavrikov – Jones
Werenski – Savard
Del Zotto – Kukan
Korpisalo
Merzlikins
Injury Report
Blackhawks:
Brent Seabrook (IR – Lower Back)
Zack Smith (IR – Back)
Kirby Dach (LTIR – Out 4-5 months – Wrist)
Alex Nylander (LTIR – Out 4-6 months – Knee)
Jonathan Toews (LTIR – Illness)
Alex DeBrincat (Day-to-day – COVID Protocol)
Adam Boqvist (Day-to-day – COVID Protocol)
Lucas Wallmark (Day-to-day – COVID Protocol)
Blue Jackets:
Patrik Laine (Day-to-day)
Gustav Nyquist (Out Indefinitely – Shoulder)
Brandon Dubinsky (LTIR – Wrist)
Betting Odds
The Blackhawks are +1.5 underdogs for tonight’s matchup against the Blue Jackets, according to DraftKings, and currently sit +112 on the moneyline.
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What To Watch For
• For the second game in-a-row, the Blackhawks will go with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen in the lineup. Chicago came away with a shootout loss to the Predators on Wednesday night with the same lineup, mostly thanks to the play in net from starter Kevin Lankinen
• Speaking of which, Lankinen makes his fifth start this season, bringing with him a 2-0-2 record and a .931 save percentage. Lankinen is making his fifth start in the last six games, with Malcolm Subban having played on Tuesday night in the overtime loss to the Predators. The 25-year-old rookie is one of three goalies to have at least four starts with no regulation losses this season, along with Montreal’s Carey Price and Washington’s Vitek Vanecek. Lankinen’s .931 save percentage is the best of the three.
• Columbus is playing on back-to-back nights having traveled from Columbus to Chicago in the process. Look for the Blackhawks to try and take advantage of some possibly weary legs from the Blue Jackets. The Blackhawks are 2-0-1 when they lead at the end of the first period this season.
Get Caught Up …
Jeremy Colliton confirms that Kevin Lankinen will start in net. Same lineup – 11 forwards and 7 defensemen again.
"Right now with the way our team looks we think it's the best solution. … We've got one more guy that can potentially be going."
— John Dietz (@johndietzdh) January 29, 2021
Colliton on tonight's game: "We have a real big opportunity today to build on [things]. We’ve got points in a bunch of games in a row and we’ve been mostly on the road. It’s important we have that urgency from the start and I’m excited. I think the guys are excited."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 29, 2021
"A lot of guys are playing for the team, wanting to do the right things out there. Good atmosphere, good locker room."
Patrick Kane ahead of tonight's #CHIvsCBJ matchup. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Ly8Q7mrPkM
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 29, 2021
Patrick Kane on PP success overall: "The freedom to go wherever you want from the coaching staff is refreshing. Being able to play almost like its 5-on-5 rather than be in the same spot on the ice."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 29, 2021